Hi Fodorites, <BR> As a consequence of redeeming airline mileage for a "free" plane ticket to Europe next month, I have been given the most ridiculous flight schedule imaginable. <BR> The worst of it will leave me with a 12-hour layover in Toronto from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. one day. <BR> As I will have flown in from a red-eye in San Diego, does anyone know if there is a very close BUT reasonably priced motel near the airport that I could check into to get a little sleep? If not, are there any nearby tourist attractions worth taking in? I am not familiar with the city and its airport/transportation system. <BR> Many thanks, <BR> Pam <BR>

Pam - there are lots of hotels/motels right by the airport and I know that some hhave day rates - for instance Quality Suites Hotel has a $75.00 Canadian (approx $50) rate for room rental from 9:00am - 5:00pm (otherwise their corporate rate is $135.00) If you go to www.toronto.com you can find a list of hotels/motels by the airport with phone numbers. <BR> <BR>As far as tourist attractions - the airport is approximately 25 minutes from downtown by cab (which is approximately $30-$35CDN) or there's a bus (not sure how much but think it's around $15.00) You could come into the city for the day - there's lots of sightseeing downtown. (the above web site has good tourist info as well). <BR> <BR> Or you could take a bus to Niagara Falls from the airport - it's approximately 90 minutes (and you could sleep during the drive!) <BR> <BR>

Pam - there are lots of hotels/motels right by the airport and I know that some hhave day rates - for instance Quality Suites Hotel has a $75.00 Canadian (approx $50) rate for room rental from 9:00am - 5:00pm (otherwise their corporate rate is $135.00) If you go to www.toronto.com you can find a list of hotels/motels by the airport with phone numbers. <BR> <BR>As far as tourist attractions - the airport is approximately 25 minutes from downtown by cab (which is approximately $30-$35CDN) or there's a bus (not sure how much but think it's around $15.00) You could come into the city for the day - there's lots of sightseeing downtown. (the above web site has good tourist info as well). <BR> <BR> Or you could take a bus to Niagara Falls from the airport - it's approximately 90 minutes (and you could sleep during the drive!) <BR> <BR>

Pam - there are lots of hotels/motels right by the airport and I know that some hhave day rates - for instance Quality Suites Hotel has a $75.00 Canadian (approx $50) rate for room rental from 9:00am - 5:00pm (otherwise their corporate rate is $135.00) If you go to www.toronto.com you can find a list of hotels/motels by the airport with phone numbers. <BR> <BR>As far as tourist attractions - the airport is approximately 25 minutes from downtown by cab (which is approximately $30-$35CDN) or there's a bus (not sure how much but think it's around $15.00) You could come into the city for the day - there's lots of sightseeing downtown. (the above web site has good tourist info as well). <BR> <BR> Or you could take a bus to Niagara Falls from the airport - it's approximately 90 minutes (and you could sleep during the drive!) <BR> <BR>

Pam - there are lots of hotels/motels right by the airport and I know that some hhave day rates - for instance Quality Suites Hotel has a $75.00 Canadian (approx $50) rate for room rental from 9:00am - 5:00pm (otherwise their corporate rate is $135.00) If you go to www.toronto.com you can find a list of hotels/motels by the airport with phone numbers. <BR> <BR>As far as tourist attractions - the airport is approximately 25 minutes from downtown by cab (which is approximately $30-$35CDN) or there's a bus (not sure how much but think it's around $15.00) You could come into the city for the day - there's lots of sightseeing downtown. (the above web site has good tourist info as well). <BR> <BR> Or you could take a bus to Niagara Falls from the airport - it's approximately 90 minutes (and you could sleep during the drive!) <BR> <BR>

Pam - there are lots of hotels/motels right by the airport and I know that some hhave day rates - for instance Quality Suites Hotel has a $75.00 Canadian (approx $50) rate for room rental from 9:00am - 5:00pm (otherwise their corporate rate is $135.00) If you go to www.toronto.com you can find a list of hotels/motels by the airport with phone numbers. <BR> <BR>As far as tourist attractions - the airport is approximately 25 minutes from downtown by cab (which is approximately $30-$35CDN) or there's a bus (not sure how much but think it's around $15.00) You could come into the city for the day - there's lots of sightseeing downtown. (the above web site has good tourist info as well). <BR> <BR> Or you could take a bus to Niagara Falls from the airport - it's approximately 90 minutes (and you could sleep during the drive!) <BR> <BR>

Lots of hotels and motels around the airport, but I don't know their rates; but goodness, Pam, you should look at it as a blessing in disguise -- if you haven't been to Toronto! Here's what I'd do: first I'll leave any big, heavy luggage in one of the lockers at the airport, then head out down to the exit and catch the bus that takes you downtown. Don't take the TTC bus, it doesn't take you downtown but to one of their stations (Lawrence West); instead ask the tourist info office at the arrival and ask where you can catch the bus to go directly to one of the major hotels downtown (Royal York Hotel would be best for you). While at he tourist info office, you might as well ask for a map of downtown. The bus ride will cost you around seven bucks (Canadian or about US$5.00). Make sure you get the schedule for your return to the airport from downtown (which I estimate should be no later than 6 p.m. to give you two hours at the airport to check in before your departure for Europe). <BR>From the Royal York Hotel, walk east to the BCE Place the next block and have a good brunch at the Marche. Afterwards, you have the rest of your stay in Toronto to either go around or find a good spot in a park to rest (or even take a nap). (Go east another block and across from the St. Lawrence Theatre is a small park with an interesting view of the CN Tower and an old building with fake windows.) Don't worry, I assure you you won't be mugged; that's how safe the city is, especially since you'll be going around in the middle of the day. <BR>There are LOTS of interesting places you can go to or things you can do downtown during the few hours (at least six?) of your stay there. Let me know how else I can help, e-mail me if you want to.

Lots of hotels and motels around the airport, but I don't know their rates; but goodness, Pam, you should look at it as a blessing in disguise -- if you haven't been to Toronto! Here's what I'd do: first I'll leave any big, heavy luggage in one of the lockers at the airport, then head out down to the exit and catch the bus that takes you downtown. Don't take the TTC bus, it doesn't take you downtown but to one of their stations (Lawrence West); instead ask the tourist info office at the arrival and ask where you can catch the bus to go directly to one of the major hotels downtown (Royal York Hotel would be best for you). While at he tourist info office, you might as well ask for a map of downtown. The bus ride will cost you around seven bucks (Canadian or about US$5.00). Make sure you get the schedule for your return to the airport from downtown (which I estimate should be no later than 6 p.m. to give you two hours at the airport to check in before your departure for Europe). <BR>From the Royal York Hotel, walk east to the BCE Place the next block and have a good brunch at the Marche. Afterwards, you have the rest of your stay in Toronto to either go around or find a good spot in a park to rest (or even take a nap). (Go east another block and across from the St. Lawrence Theatre is a small park with an interesting view of the CN Tower and an old building with fake windows.) Don't worry, I assure you you won't be mugged; that's how safe the city is, especially since you'll be going around in the middle of the day. <BR>There are LOTS of interesting places you can go to or things you can do downtown during the few hours (at least six?) of your stay there. Let me know how else I can help, e-mail me if you want to.

Lots of hotels and motels around the airport, but I don't know their rates; but goodness, Pam, you should look at it as a blessing in disguise -- if you haven't been to Toronto! Here's what I'd do: first I'll leave any big, heavy luggage in one of the lockers at the airport, then head out down to the exit and catch the bus that takes you downtown. Don't take the TTC bus, it doesn't take you downtown but to one of their stations (Lawrence West); instead ask the tourist info office at the arrival and ask where you can catch the bus to go directly to one of the major hotels downtown (Royal York Hotel would be best for you). While at he tourist info office, you might as well ask for a map of downtown. The bus ride will cost you around seven bucks (Canadian or about US$5.00). Make sure you get the schedule for your return to the airport from downtown (which I estimate should be no later than 6 p.m. to give you two hours at the airport to check in before your departure for Europe). <BR>From the Royal York Hotel, walk east to the BCE Place the next block and have a good brunch at the Marche. Afterwards, you have the rest of your stay in Toronto to either go around or find a good spot in a park to rest (or even take a nap). (Go east another block and across from the St. Lawrence Theatre is a small park with an interesting view of the CN Tower and an old building with fake windows.) Don't worry, I assure you you won't be mugged; that's how safe the city is, especially since you'll be going around in the middle of the day. <BR>There are LOTS of interesting places you can go to or things you can do downtown during the few hours (at least six?) of your stay there. Let me know how else I can help, e-mail me if you want to.

Dear Pam <BR>There are numerous hotels on the airport strip. The Best Western Carlton is quite reasonable - ask for the stopover rate which is around $80.00 CDN. There is a free shuttle to/from airport. If you don't need the sleep, Toronto has lots to see. Check out Queen St. W., Yorkville, HarbourFront, etc. Lot of great restaurants in a clean, beautiful city. I live west of T.O. Enjoy it. Next time you may not continue on to Europe!! <BR> T

Pam, There are lots of hotels on the airport strip in Toronto. Most offer comp. shuttle service. The Best Western Carlton Place is quite reasonable. If you have the energy, venture downtown. Try out Yorkville, Queens St. W., the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) just a couple of ways to while away the hours. Toronto has many fine restaurants. Who knows, maybe next time you'll skip Europe!!

Thank you all for your suggestions. The Best Western Carlton sounds like a good bet if I don't get any sleep on the plane, but now I'm pretty excited about going into the city and seeing the sights you've all suggested. <BR> And, yes, Canada is on the list of the places I'm planning to visit at length - next year - with the kids! <BR> Thanks again, Pam